Liguria is a riot of light and dark, of wide open spaces and narrow lanes. I love the contrasts it offers.
The beach at left is Bonassola, and the passageway on the right is one of Genoa's famous caruggi or tiny alleyways. It is said that Genoa has the largest labyrinth of these medieval old streets in all of Europe.
Location: Liguria, Italy ★
One of the ornate Palazzi dei Rolli that I strolled through, adorned wall-to-wall with paintings pint-sized to palatial.
Location: Genoa, Italy ★
Liguria has some of the loveliest examples of trompe l'oeil anywhere, with some of the most breathtaking specimens found in the plethora of 16th and 17th-century palaces lining Genoa's grand old town boulevards.
I was lucky enough to be there this May for Rolli Days, when La Superba opens its many UNESCO World Heritage Palazzi dei Rolli to host special art installations, live music and theatrical performances, and guided tours. All free to the public. It was fantastic. I was in trompe l'oeil fresco-ceiling heaven, as pictured.
Location: Genoa, Italy ★
"Ciao, Tigre!" said a man with affection, clearly a local resident intimately familiar with the friendly striped beast before him, as he crouched down to give Tiger a little love. Tiger pranced up to the man excitedly and relished in the attention. That's Tiger in the top shot, sunning himself and his ample amber belly.
Though I only spent about 15 minutes with him, Tiger regarded me as an old friend. Seems he treats everyone like that, locals and visitors alike.
I met him standing at the center of a heavy pedestrian intersection in pretty Portovenere, meowing enthusiastically and physically blocking people's paths in an attempt to get them to slow down and spend some heavy-petting time with him. The absolute sucker for cats that I am, I happily stopped and stayed a while.
Tiger's stone cousin there in the bottom shot is one of the two lovely lions gracing the entrance to San Lorenzo Cathedral in Genoa's enchanting old town. I'd have to compare photos, but I think these San Lorenzo lions look uncannily like the one standing at attention outside the Arsenale in Venice. Both have the identical sad, stressed out countenance, as if they're on the verge of tears. Same sculptor with the odd ability to make stone cats cry?
Location: Liguria, Italy ★
The Cattedrale and Piazza di San Lorenzo is one of the places in Genoa I'm most looking forward to visiting - and photographing - this spring. Man. What I couldn't give to be there for the next pillow fight! Looks like far too much fun.
Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - ^JAN^ - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!
Location: Genoa, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of ^JAN^
I love me some nebbia (italiano for fog). There's nothing more magical, in my humble opinion. And looks perfect for this bike ride!
Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - deangeli.federica - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!
Location: Genova, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of deangeli.federica
Cat-loving Venophile (Venice! Not wine. But wine is fine, in its own right.) that I am, I can't wait to meet this majestic guy outside San Lorenzo church. Maybe I can cheer him up.
I like the framing on this photo. Every other picture of this lion features the church of San Lorenzo that he's guarding, in the background.
Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Accidental Hedonist - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!
Location: Genova, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Accidental Hedonist
So, rather than make Camogli my home base on the Italian Riviera, I'm going with Genova. I was reading that it has the largest, most labyrinthine old town in Europe and I was instantly sold. After looking at a few inspiring pictures, like this one, I know I've picked the right city.
Though while wandering by day should be bliss, wandering the old town after dark is not advisable. The poorly lit, long and confusing old town streets are a good place not to get lost when the sun goes down. If you value your safety; same as in most major metropolitan areas anywhere, the world over.
Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Lorenzo X - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!
Location: Genova, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of Lorenzo X
